Page 21 of Mr. Mistletoe
They want bikes, skates, smartwatches. They all promise they’ve been good, done their chores, and listened to their parents. I nod, chuckle, and summon up my best “ho-ho-ho,” even though my beard’s itchy and my left foot’s gone numb from fur-trimmed boots two sizes too small.
The line’s down to the last few kids when Janet returns with another snack. She’s been bribing me with food since I agreed to fill in for her father-in-law.
Janet leans close, nodding toward the line. “Another single lady.”
“Another one?” I groan. “Did this happen to Mike?”
Janet snorts. “What do you think? Word got out Santa’s a hottie this year.”
The woman in line has her back to us. My gaze trails down her long braid to the curve of her waist, the flare of her hips. Legs for days. And those fancy high-heeled boots add at least three more inches to her already tall frame.
Wait.
I’d know that heart-shaped ass anywhere. The last time I saw it, it was walking away from me at the basketball game.
The kid on my lap tugs my beard hard enough to nearly rip it off. “Is this a real beard?”
He’s got a fistful of my actual beard now. “Yes, Tommy.”
His eyes go wide. “How did you know my name?”
“Santa knows everything.”
His lip trembles. Another one bites the dust. That makes four kids I’ve made cry today. I’m officially the worst Santa Starlight Bay’s ever had.
“It’s okay, kid.” I pat his back. “You’ve been good. What do you want—a train set? A bike?”
But my gaze keeps drifting to the woman. ToJess.The curve of her cheek, the pout of her lower lip.
I never thought I’d see her again.
Tommy finishes his wish list, and I wave him off with my best jolly smile. But my heart’s hammering too hard to fake it for the next kid. Jess still hasn’t noticed me. Her gaze skims right over me like I’m just another mall Santa.
“Wait,” Janet breathes. “Is that her? From your Kiss Cam?”
Does everyone in this town know about the kiss with Jess? When I don’t answer fast enough, Janet jabs me in the shoulder.
“Yes,” I hiss. “It’s her.”
“Now’s your chance, Clark. Don’t blow it.”
Before I can stop her, Janet moves behind Jess and hangs theclosedsign. I know exactly what she’s doing when she starts turning away disappointed kids with promises Santa will be back tomorrow.
My nerves ratchet tighter with every step Jess takes toward me. What is she doing here? Did she come to Starlight Bay to find me? Why hadn’t she called?
And then—she’s here. She settles on my thigh and sighs. “You probably think I’m nuts.”
She smells like cinnamon and honey. So sweet it makes me dizzy. I remember the taste of her, and my body reacts.
Damn these sweatpants.
I shift in my sleigh, praying it looks like a jolly adjustment. “Ho-ho-ho.”
“It’s not like you’re therealSanta,” she says, leaning close so only I can hear.
I grunt. Her eyes narrow.
No spark of recognition. No teasing smile. Just polite curiosity before she launches into her confession.
